Gunmen Kidnap Benue Pastor, Two Church Members From Residence

Gunmen have kidnapped Rev. Samuel Gbinde and two members of his congregation from the pastor’s residence at NKST Church, Andyar, in Benue State.

Punch, Daily Post and Premium Times reported that the incident was announced in a statement by the leadership of the Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar Church, also known as NKST or the Universal Reformed Christian Church.

Daily Post reported that the gunmen stormed the pastor’s residence in Andyar community in Guma Local Government Area and took the cleric and two worshippers to an unknown destination.

Premium Times identified the church official who confirmed the incident as Titus Targba, the General Secretary of the URCC. The reports said the abduction happened in the early hours of 30 June 2026.

The church appealed to its clergy, congregations, members and friends to pray for the safe and unconditional release of the abducted pastor and the two church members.

It also called on security agencies, the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to act quickly to secure the victims’ release and bring those responsible to justice.

Premium Times reported that the Benue State Police Command had not responded to requests for comment at the time of filing. Punch also reported that the command had yet to issue a statement on the incident.

The story is separate from earlier Benue security reports because it concerns a named cleric, a specific church residence and two congregation members allegedly taken from Andyar.

The draft avoids repeating the church’s long statement in full and instead keeps the core facts: the victims, location, timing, appeal for rescue and lack of police comment at filing time.

Sources: Punch, Daily Post, Premium Times